We Heart Music

The Arms Akimbo

Friday, 08 July 2011

Apologies to non-Minnesotans, I'm sure you're sick of hearing about how our government basically shut down last week (with 23,000 state workers laid off!) and none of our state parks and rest areas are open to visitors!

I'm going to at the 400 Bar tonight, to see a bunch of girl bands. You know that I do like my riot grrrls, so here's a preview and background on each band.

Jettison Juliet looks tough. Their influences include The Donnas and Motion City Soundtrack. All I know about them is their drummer, Amy, used to be in Fuzzy Machete, who are pretty dorky, singing songs about Star Trek (in particular Scott Bakula) and zombies and bunnies.

Having just survived NXNE, I can tell you that the city has a lot of different ethnics food offering: Korean, Indian, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Italian, etc. So,
Torontonians, Hunter Valentine, must be eating well. I've seen them before, they have great stage presence.

Sick of Sarah who also just survived Canada last May, got their name from singer Abisha Uhl's ex-roommate, Sarah. They are heading out on a national tour next week.

It looks like the odd band out is Julie Puppets, the only all-dudes band on the bill. It looks like they've been around since 2001, but have maybe reformed recently?

Oh, I was also on the 400 Bar's website, I see that The Blow is coming back to Minneapolis, on July 22nd. We like the Blow, so I'll try and see if I can make it to that show.

BASILICA BLOCK PARTY 2011basilicablockparty.orgWhen: July 8, 2011 to July 9, 2011
Price: Expensive ($80 for both nights)

A few W♥M people are going to be there, this year looks like an all-star lineup: Including
David Gray, The Jayhawks, Lissie, Scars, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Fitz and The Tantrums, G. Love & Special Sauce, White Light Riot, Usonia, Zoo Animal, Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs, Amos Lee, Gomez, Stuart D'Rozario, Drive-By Truckers, Citizen Cope, 4onthefloor, The Pines, Hunting Club and The Arms Akimbo.

This three-day festival is organized and promoted by the Highland Business Association, who said that they draw in about 60,000 and 65,000 visitors each year. I believe most people turn out because there are massive fireworks each night, plus, it's free.

The bands on two stages are typical of an event like this, mostly bands I've never heard of. I believe to see the bands might cost you money, Sell Out Stereo (Friday), Rocket Club (Saturday), and Power of 10 (Sunday).

Band of interests, I was told to look out for Maudlin, a power pop/rock trio, who just recently opened up for Urge Overkill (which regrettably I was not in town when they stopped by, but they are one of those 90s bands that will be forever remembered for that Neil Diamond cover). Maudlin is set to go on at 3pm. Since the show actually costs money, I'm told it's $30 in advance, and I haven't really heard of the other bands, I'll likely not attend this one.

Event is from 2pm to 10pm, each band plays a brief set, with various street entertainers when bands are setting up.

BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL MINNEAPOLIS 2011bicyclefilmfestival.comWhen: 7/21/11 to 7/24/11
Price: FREE (Thursday and various activities)/$8 per movie program/$27 for full pass

Bicycle Film Festival, aka BFF, is taking place this late July. UPDATE: You can buy individual programs each for $8 + $1.43 fee, which includes one movie ticket (with the exception of Thursday, which is free). All other activities are free.